***It’s Sunday evening and you just passed 500 comments on this post. YOU DID IT, GIRLS! Honestly, this is the most exhilarating thing I’ve ever seen. As you know, we’ve posted Scriptures many times, especially through our 2009 SSMT, but this is the first time we’ve had a theme like this. These verses will stand a woman to her feet and put a shout of praise on her tongue. Let’s remember this spot, Siestas, so we can return to it many times. As my grandmother used to say, “It’ll cure what ails ya.” Memorize the date of the post – 3/6/10 – and turn back to it any time you need Christ to fill your sweet soul with an extra measure of divine strength. Thank you so, so much for your participation here.
ORIGINAL POST:
I slept until 8:30 this morning! I can’t even remember the last time! I am so hyped up and happy I hardly know what to do! There ain’t no estimatin’ how different the world can look when we get a little sleep. Sometimes when we think we need a new man (I’m not thinking that right now, just using an example), a new job, a new set of kids, a new house, or a new friend, we may just need a nap. Maybe you can work one in today.
OK, Girls, I have a weekend assignment for you. I am so jazzed about our on-line journey through SLI and I am very happy with how it’s going. Please don’t misunderstand this to mean I’m not. I’m THRILLED with the honesty you guys are expressing and I hope you’ll keep it up. This is a safe place. But I agree with one of our sisters who said something like, “Let’s pour it out here but let’s get it dealt with and get out there and be strong.” All the moaning about how hard it is only makes it harder. Breaking Free will nearly kill you but then, if you stick with it, like many of us out here have, God will use it to turn around and heal you. We have to press through and not be so easily discouraged. Our attitudes will make or break us. Let me say just as quickly that so many of you have been tremendously encouraging in the journey even through the difficulty of what we’ve had to face. We just want to band together and reach out and pull some sisters up on their feet here.
Ladies, the devil knows that if we’re too scared to even face our insecurity, we’ll never get freed up from it. If we just put the book down because it’s too heavy, how are we supposed to get up? (No, you didn’t say you were putting it down and I’m so thankful for that. But I’m convinced it’s what the enemy’s trying to get some of us to do.) We can’t deal with what we won’t face. GIRLS, WE CAN DO THIS. Are you telling me it’s harder to face it and get over it than it is to deal with it day in and day out, letting it minimize us and make fools of us and mentor the next generation to be just like us? Not to me, it’s not. I’m a whole lot happier today than I was this time a year ago. Please, keep up the honesty and let’s work this thing out together but, if you are in Christ, stop giving yourself so little credit. YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES. We can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens us. Let’s honor what He’s done for us by doing what it takes to accept it to the marrow of our bones. The question will ultimately be this: Do we believe what God’s Word says enough to act on it?
So, that brings us to our weekend assignment: (And this is not only for the ones going through SLI. All of us could use this.) Look up Scriptures that have to do with strength and power and victory and write some out in a comment to this post. Be sure to put the reference and the translation because your sisters will want to know where they can find many of them. Try to limit your comment to the actual Scripture so that we can read one after another and claim them for ourselves through the power of Christ in our inner man.
THEN, ladies, get on here and read some of them OUT LOUD. Restate them in first person between You and your God.
I’ll get us started with one I’m saying almost every morning right now. Isaiah 52:1 NIV says…
“Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength.”
I say it out loud and picture myself right then putting on the power and might of Christ like a coat. Sometimes I might even stretch my arms like I’m pulling them through sleeves. Go ahead and think I’m such a weirdo. It’s a well established fact but I have loved it and it’s working and, anyway, I think that kind of stuff makes God grin. I’ve used it in my journey to be physically restored after my surgery and through the pain of a badly herniated disk but it is just as pertinent to our present journey toward soul-deep security.
Your Siesta Mama loves you. This is how I would talk to my own daughters when they were growing up. They could well tell you that I only put up with “This is sooooooo haaaarrrrrddddd” so long. “It won’t be near as hard when you get your tail up and do it.”
Go for it, Girls! Get your tail up and do it. Let’s clothe ourselves with these:
andrea 
Hosea 6:3 NKJV
Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; His going out is sure as the dawn; He will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.
"Consider now, for the LORD has chose you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work."
1 Chronicles 28:9-11, NIV
Mary from MN
Know that I am praying for you and hope God will bless you.
May give you extra, special strength.
We will sing for joy over your victory, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners. May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.
Psalm 20:5 (NASB)
Romans 16:25 NIV God is able to make you strong, just as the Good News says…Psalm 16:8 NIV I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken…Psalm 121:1-2 NIV I lift my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD the Maker of heaven and Earth… Psalm 28:7 NIV The LORD is my strendth and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song… Isaiah 40:30 NIV They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles… 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NIV Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakmess"… For when I am weak, then I am strong.
I turned my scripture cards into my own book called My Inspiration. I look at it often and these are a few of my very favorite verses. I continually refer to these to help me face each day, knowing that my God and my Savior are with me, until the end of the age.
I was re-reading thru some verse-posts for encouragement and came across Anonymous who posted on 3/7 asking for verses for when she's looking in the mirror here's one:
Isaiah 62:3(NIV)-> You will be a crown of spendor in the LORD's hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
Can I offer up a suggestion that I hope helps if you're able to do this? Turn on your radio to your Christian radio station or put in a cd or tape of praise & worship music and sing to God while you're doing your make-up or hair & clothes and need to be in front of your mirror.
Try it regularly if you're able to. It's my hope that it encourages you greatly :-). And I know the enemy will flee away from all that praising God you'll be doing!!!
-Diane
For I Am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13
The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Isaiah 58:11
Thank you for giving me some fire power!
God didn't set us up for angry rejection, but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we're awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we're ALIVE with Him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this: just keep doing it.
1 Thess 5:9-11, The Message
Psalm 27:1 NIV
The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
He gives strength to the weary & increases the power of the weak. Even youths grown tired & grow weary, and young men stumble & fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run & not grow weary, they will walk & not be faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31 niv
1 Chronicles 16:11 – "Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always."
"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."
Exodus 14:14 NIV
Ephesians 6:13-17 (NAS)
LET'S GET DRESSED UP LADIES!
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything to stand firm.
Stand firm, therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,
and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE:
in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which yo will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
and take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
"It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect." Psalm 18:32
-Angela
Blessed be the Lord for He has herd the voice of my supplications. The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusted in Him and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices and with my song I will praise Him.
Ps. 28 6,7 NKJ
Okay, Beth. I have to ask based on the SLI Video and now the 'get your tails up and do it' comment… Are you gearing up for a teaching on James 1? Because I am all up in it and these same themes are all over me. In my opinion, the disconnect between knowing and doing is the blight of the church today. If somehow I'm right, I'm anxious to hear your insights!
"I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
—Philippians 4:13
"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong."
1 Corinthians 16:13
"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."
Proverbs 18:10
"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
Psalm 18:32-36
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Ps 91:4
Deuteronomy 33:12
"Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders." Deuteronomy 33:12 NIV
Acts 1:8 (Amplified Bible)
"you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth."
So do not throw away your confidencce; it will be richly rewarded, you need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. Hebrews 10:35-36 NIV
So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. "What are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of 'God bless it! God bless it!'" Zecharaiah 4:6-7 NIV
But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. Luke 21:14 NIV
"They will make war against teh Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because He is the Lord of lords and King of kings- and with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers." Revelation 17:14 NIV
Okay Ladies-
I am feeling like our family is under attack- AGAIN! I normally call on my handful of prayer warriors but today I am feeling like I need to use the resource this wonderful group has become.
My husband and I have been married for three years as of Wednesday and we have struggled to have healthy relationships all the way around with his ex-wife. We have the kids most of the time, but they go with her every Tuesday and every other weekend. We are experiencing A LOT of conflict again and we are desperately needing change and healing. God has been working on my heart and changing my heart towards her for the past year….and I really do have a different perspective this time. However, I need prayers for strength, healing, and clarity for our family. I so appreciate what this community has become for me. I love you all so much!
In Him,
Andrea
[email protected]
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
2 Samuel 22:33 NIV
Habakkuk 3:19
The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! For the Chief Musician; with my stringed instruments.
SING!!!!!!
Thank you for the Coat visual, Beth! I have been using it & it feels more empowering!
with love, Barb
The Lord is my Shepherd – that’s relationship.
I shall not want – that’s supply.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures – that’s rest.
He leadeth me beside still waters – that refreshment.
He restoreth my soul – that’s healing.
He leadeth me in paths of righteousness – that’s guidance.
For His name’s sake – that’s purpose.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death – that’s testing.
I will fear no evil – that’s protection.
For thou art with me – that’s faithfulness.
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me – that’s discipline.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies – that’s hope.
Thou annointest my head with oil – that’s consecration.
My cup runneth over – that’s abundance.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life – that’s blessing.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord – that’s security.
Forever – that’s eternity.
God has supplied it all – He is crazy in love with you. And I think that’ll preach!
Ha! This is so funny! ok , beth, i ran into you in the bathroom at church and was hoping to some day becasue i wanted to tell you how much I love this book and how God is using Woman of Excellence study and this book and just about every sermon or radio program I listen to, to show me some things and work trhough them…..and i also wanted to say i just love you and your humor….of course i didnt becasue i got nervous (i hate that) but i said the book is so hard but i love how it will be hard and then you put something in there that makes me CRACK up like naming your child 7 days after birth or whatver…..hard yet funny and encouraging and hopeful is what i wanted to say but evidently you just heard HARD because you went into it (like your post) we girls just got a stick to it etc. now i know why cuz you have heard its hard maybe too many times….. 🙂 anyway just read the post and now i understand……yes sanctification is incredibly hard but I love it! He who began a good work……basically i have learned again to move ME out of the way so HE can shine and I can enjoy loving HIM and serving HIM cuz HE IS WORTHY…..OK, LOVE YOU LOVE YOUR BOOK! THANKS!
Beth, sorry this is coming several days late but I am on a mission trip in the Dominican Republic and just got to check the blog tonight.
I wanted to tell you too, that I wil likely have to answer late on the next 2 thursdays.. On the plane ride here, I finished SLI book and gave it to the cutest little college age girl, named Dolly, to read while whe was in El Salvador…she said her friend had run out of reading material while waiting at the airport…Just thought that was cool…
Galatians 5:1 NASB
It was for freedom that Christ set us free;
therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery!
Isa 40:28-31 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. NIV
Heal me and I will be healed, save me and I will be saved: for you are the one I praise. Jerimiah 17:14
Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)
The Armor of God
10) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11)Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12)For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13)Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. AMEN!!
"Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders." ~Deut 33:12
Let's not forget Ps 40:1-3
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
The Journey Continues ~
Always be Joyful. Pray Continually, and give thanks whatever happens. This is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18(NIV)
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight.
Psalm 19:14
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
3 John 1:4 (NIV)
As for me, I know that my Redeemer Lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth. Job 19:25
May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in everyway. The Lord be with you all.
2 Thessalonians 3:5,16
This is my first post. I am new at this blog thing so I hope this actually posts this time.
Vivian
Married
40's
My 3 reasons for this adventure:
a) I want to be all that He has
created me to be. I want to experience ALL that He has for me.
I don't want to get to the end of my life here on earth with "if only".
b) I want to be the wife to my husband that HE wants me to be. I want him to enjoy life with a whole wife not a broken one. A wife that is sure of her worth in HIM and is free to love extravagantly.
c) I want my children to see God at work in me and to know how real HE is becasue they see Him in the way I love them…freely and without hesitation.
Dignity to me is seeing myself through HIS eyes and allowing myself to only concern myself with what HE thinks of me.
I am so thankful to you Ms. Beth for writing this book. God has used you to get a message to me. I have been able to see so much about why the little girl side of me began hanging her head becasue she didn't want anyone to see the "real her" That so called reality was a lie and now that little girl has allowed HIM to be the lifter of her head! She isn't afraid to have HIM look into her eyes anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She isn't ugly and dirty she is beautiful and clean and LOVED!!!!
From one Bibby to another…Thank you!
"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish stongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
The Truth Shall Set Us Free:
"To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not I only but also all who know the truth. Because of the truth which lives in us and will be with us forever."
(2 John 1:1-2)
Even though my scripture isn't about conquering, power, etc. – for me, it is still about victory.
Romans 8:28 –
And we KNOW that ALL things together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.
When I am disappointed, hurt, INSECURE – this verse gives me the grace to know that no matter what has happened 'here' – that God is using it for my good and my family's good, even if, in the here and now, it doesn't 'seem' like it.
Psalm 34:5
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
Loooooovvvvveeeee this verse!
"My soul finds rest in God alone, my salvation comes from Him"
Psalm 62:1
God Bless All of you!
Amanda, 25 Alabama
My best friend (in her 40's) suffered a major stroke a couple of days ago and had emergency brain surgery last night. These scriptures have saved me today. I came to the LPM blog this morning looking for a word, then spent the day reading and praying through these scriptures. Found the directions to print them off to carry them with me to the hospital. Thank you Beth and all.
June
For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Philippians 2:13
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deut 31:6 NIV
Such a blessing! Such power in His word! Thank you!
"Great peace have they which love thy law: nothing shall offend them"
Psalm 119:165 KJV
Power in His word…Amen!
Praise God for all the precious comments made here!! How beautiful all these sisters are! It might be too late to post for this weeks assignment, but I feel led to share this with one… Everyday (atleast most days) I don't leave my house without putting God's armor on! Ephesians, and I am paraphrasing since that is how I remember it, goes as follows:
Put on my belt of truth, my breastplate of rightousness which shields me from the enemies attacks. The readiness of my feet which is the Gospel of peace. My helmet of salvation, and my Sword of the Spirit which is the God's Word.
Again this is from memory, so I might have switch some words. This empowers me every morning to leave my house knowing I am sheilded with God's armor!!
Isa. 45:4b
I have also called you by your name and given you a title of honor, though you have not known me.
Ps. 4:8 (NAS)
In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for you alone o lord make me to dwell in safety.
Ps. 3:3
But you O Lord are a shield about me, My glory, and the one who lifts my head.
I have found great meaning in both translations of these verses…
Psalm 18:1-2 (The Message)
1-2 I love you, God— you make me strong. God is bedrock under my feet,the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight. My God—the high crag where I run for dear life,hiding behind the boulders,
safe in the granite hideout.
Psalm 18:1-2 (New Living Translation)
I love you, Lord; you are my strength.The Lord is my rock, my
fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,and my place of safety.
I put all these comments together so it's easier to copy and paste on my blog at: http://tairwhite.blogspot.com/2010/03/strength.html
I do not know how to attach a file to my blog or to this comment or I would give it to you all that way 🙂 If anyone wants a copy of the Word file that contains all these WoNdErFuL verses to reference in the future or to share with someone who might need them please just leave a comment on my blog and I would be SO happy to send it to you!!
This was such a blessing to me!! Thank you!!